Methods and apparatus for learning remote control commands

ABSTRACT

Described herein are various techniques for transferring command codes between multiple remote controls. A first controlled device receives a signal from a remote control associated with a second controlled device. The signal is associated with a command for the second controlled device. The first controlled device receives user input, assigning the command to a selected button of a second remote control. The first controlled device transmits a message to the second remote control. The message includes information utilized by the second remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the selected button, allowing the second remote control to generate the command for the second controlled device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 12/390,268, filed Feb. 20, 2009.

BACKGROUND

Television receivers, such as cable or satellite set-top boxes, ofteninclude a universal remote control capable of controlling other devices,such as televisions, audio receivers and DVD players. Typically, theuniversal remote control will include a memory storing remote controlcommand sets for various common devices, such as popular models oftelevisions, VCRs and the like. However, there are typically commandsets for some devices which are not stored in the memory of theuniversal remote control, often because the device is not popular enoughto warrant inclusion in the database or because the remote controlmanufacturer is not aware of the device. Thus, many remote controlsinclude a learning function, allowing the remote control to “learn”commands from other remote controls. The inclusion of the learningfunctionality within the remote control contributes to an increased costand size of the remote control. Additionally, for devices that includemultiple remote controls, such as multiple room television receivers,the learning functionality is included within each remote control,causing the consumer to purchase duplicative equipment at an increasedcost for the television receiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same number represents the same element or same type of element inall drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a first remote control of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an entertainment device of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a process for learning commands froma remote control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments described herein generally provide apparatus,systems and methods for learning remote control commands from a remotecontrol for use by another remote control. A first controlled device,such as a television receiver, receives a signal from a remote controlassociated with a second controlled device, such as a television. Thesignal is associated with a command for the second controlled device.The first controlled device receives user input, assigning the commandto a selected button of a second remote control or other input device ofthe second remote control. The first controlled device then transmits amessage to the second remote control. The message includes informationutilized by the second remote control to reproduce the signal responsiveto actuation of the selected button, allowing the second remote controlto generate the command for the second controlled device. In short, thevarious embodiments described herein allow a controlled device to learncommands from a remote control associated with another device andtransmit the commands to a second remote control for utilization by thatremote control in controlling the other device.

The controlled device is described herein as an entertainment device.More specifically, the controlled device may be described herein as atelevision receiver, e.g., a cable television receiver or a satellitetelevision receiver. However, it is to be appreciated that the teachingsdescribed herein may be applied to other combinations of remote controlsand controlled devices. For example, the teachings described herein maybe applied to household appliances, computers and wireless peripherals(e.g., keyboards, mice and pointing devices), automobile keyless entrysystems, home security systems, child locator systems, digital videorecorders (DVRs), DVD players, video servers, audio receivers, audioplayback systems and the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment system 100. Theentertainment system 100 is operable for presenting content to a user110. The entertainment system 100 includes an entertainment device 102,a presentation device 104, a first remote control 106 and a secondremote control 108. Each of these components is discussed in greaterdetail below. The entertainment system 100 may include other elements,components or devices not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

The entertainment device 102 is operable to receive content from one ormore content sources (not shown in FIG. 1), and to present the receivedcontent to the user 110 on the associated presentation device 104. In atleast one embodiment, the presentation device 104 is a display device(e.g., a television) configured to display content to the user 110. Theentertainment device 102 may receive an audio/video stream in any format(e.g., analog or digital format), and output the audio/video stream forpresentation by the presentation device 104. The entertainment device102 may be further configured to display menus and other informationthat allow a user 110 to control the output of content by theentertainment device 102.

The presentation device 104 may comprise any type of device operable topresent content to the user 110. In one embodiment, the presentationdevice 104 comprises a display device, such as a television, displaymonitor and the like. In other embodiments, the presentation device 104comprises an audio playback device, such as an audio receiver, stereosystem and the like. The entertainment device 102 and the presentationdevice 104 may be communicatively coupled using any type of wired orwireless connection, including coaxial cable, component or compositevideo cables, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cabling, WiFi,Ethernet and the like.

The first remote control 106 may be any system or apparatus configuredto remotely control the output of content by the entertainment device102. The first remote control 106 receives input from the user 110 andresponsively generates commands regarding the operation of theentertainment device 102. For example, the remote control 106 maycommunicate commands to the entertainment device 102 requesting toplayback content, temporally move through content (e.g., fast-forward orreverse), adjust the volume, access electronic programming guides, menusand the like. In at least one embodiment, the first remote control 106may output infrared (IR) key codes to remotely command the entertainmentdevice 102. In other embodiments, the first remote control 106 may issuecommands to the entertainment device 102 via an RF communicationprotocol.

The first remote control 106 is operable to bidirectionally communicatewith the entertainment device 102, allowing the first remote control 106to exchange data with the entertainment device 102. For example, thefirst remote control 106 may download firmware updates, updated commandsets for other devices and the like from the entertainment device 102.The first remote control 106 may communicate with the entertainmentdevice 102 using any type of wireless interface, such as IRcommunication links or radio frequency (RF) communication links.

The first remote control 106 is further configured as a “universal”remote control, operable to remotely control other devices, such as thepresentation device 104. In at least one embodiment, the first remotecontrol 106 stores command sets in memory for various devices, such astelevisions, DVD players, VCRs and the like. Such command sets may bestored in a read only memory (ROM) or may be stored in an updateablestorage medium, such as a flash memory. In at least one embodiment, thefirst remote control 106 may include an updateable storage medium, suchas flash, to store command sets for devices configured to operate withthe first remote control 106. For example, the entertainment device 102may transfer selected command sets to the first remote control 106responsive to configuration of the first remote control 106 to remotelyoperate a particular device.

The second remote control 108 is configured to remotely operate thepresentation device 104. The second remote control 108 receives inputfrom the user 110 and responsively generates commands for thepresentation device 104. For example, the second remote control 108 mayoutput IR key codes compatible with the presentation device 104,controlling various functions, such as powering on/off the presentationdevice 104, changing the volume, changing the channel and the like. Inat least one embodiment, the second remote control 108 and thepresentation device 104 may communicate using RF communication links andprotocols, such as Bluetooth, WiFi and the like.

In at least one scenario, the first remote control 106 is not initiallyconfigured to remotely operate the presentation device 104. In otherwords, the first remote control 106 may not initially store a commandset compatible with the presentation device 104. However, the commandset for the presentation device 104 may be “learned” by theentertainment device 102 and transmitted to the first remote control 106for utilization in controlling the second presentation device 104.

In at least one embodiment, the user 110 may provide input to theentertainment device 102, requesting to enter a learning mode of theentertainment device 102. Such input may be provided for example, fromthe first remote control 106. The user 110 further utilizes the secondremote control 108 to output a signal operable to control thepresentation device 104. The signal is associated with a command for thepresentation device 104, e.g., a channel change command.

The entertainment device 102 receives the signal from the second remotecontrol 108 via a signal receiver, such as an IR receiver or an RFreceiver. The entertainment device 102 further receives input assigningthe command corresponding with the signal to a particular button of thefirst remote control 106. In other embodiments, the command may beassigned to a trackball, joystick, capacitive or resistive sensingtouchpad or other input device of the first remote control 106. In atleast one embodiment, the user 110 provides the assignment input via thefirst remote control 106. However, the input may alternatively beprovided via a front panel button or other input device of theentertainment device 102 or via another remote control associated withthe entertainment device 102.

The entertainment device 102 processes the signal and the assignmentinput to generate a message for the first remote control 106. Themessage includes information utilized by the first remote control 106 toreproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the selected button togenerate a command for the presentation device 104. For example, themessage may reference a particular button of the first remote control106 and an IR key code to be output by an IR emitter of the first remotecontrol 106. In at least one embodiment, the message includesinformation for the first remote control 106 to reproduce an RF commandsignal responsive to actuation of the selected button.

After completion of the learning process, the user 110 may utilize thefirst remote control 106 to remotely control the presentation device104. Thus, the first remote control 106 is configured to control boththe entertainment device 102 and the presentation device 104. Forexample, upon actuation of a selected button, the first remote control106 may output an IR pattern compatible with the presentation device 104and associated with a particular requested command.

Because the reception and processing of the signal from the secondremote control 108 is performed by the entertainment device 102 ratherthan first remote control 106, the complexity and cost of the firstremote control 106 is reduced. For example, the need for an IR receiverin the first remote control 106 may be eliminated and/or instructionsoperable by processing logic of the first remote control 106 may bereduced. Further, if the entertainment device 102 includes multipleassociated first remote controls 106, then the signal receivingequipment may be centrally located at the entertainment device 102rather than duplicated in each first remote control 106.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a first remote control of FIG. 1.FIG. 2 will be discussed in reference to the entertainment system 100illustrated in FIG. 1. The remote control 106A includes user inputcircuitry 202, a wireless RF transceiver 204, an IR emitter 206 andcontrol logic 208. Each of these components is discussed in greaterdetail below. The remote control 106A may contain other devices notdescribed herein for the sake of brevity.

The user input circuitry 202 is operable to receive and/or process userinput from the user 110 (see FIG. 1). In at least one embodiment, theuser input circuitry 202 is a keypad including a set of buttons. Theuser 110 may utilize the keypad to input channel numbers, control thevolume of the entertainment device 102, navigate menus, manipulate theoutput of content by the entertainment device 102 and/or control otherfunctions of the entertainment device 102 and/or the presentation device104.

The wireless transceiver 204 is operable to bi-directionally communicatewith the entertainment device 102 (see FIG. 1) and/or the presentationdevice 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless transceiver 204may utilize an RF communication link to communicate with theentertainment device 102. The wireless transceiver 204 may utilize anytype of RF communication protocol to communicate with the entertainmentdevice, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee and the like.

The wireless transceiver 204 is operable to transmit a key code and/orcommand message corresponding with user input to the entertainmentdevice 102 (see FIG. 1). The wireless transceiver 204 is also operableto exchange other data with the entertainment device 102, such asoperational status queries and responses. For example, the wirelesstransceiver 204 may transmit queries to the entertainment device 102responsive to a pre-defined schedule. The wireless transceiver 204 mayalso receive IR database key codes, RF database key codes or firmwareupdates from the entertainment device 102 responsive to the queries.Data received from the entertainment device 102 by the wirelesstransceiver 204 is transferred to the control logic 208 for processing.

The IR emitter 206 is operable to output IR keycodes to the presentationdevice 104 responsive to user input received by the user input circuitry202. In at least one embodiment, the IR emitter 206 is operable tooutput a series of IR pulses in order to reproduce a signal associatedwith a particular command of the presentation device 104 (see FIG. 1).The remote control 106A may include memory, such as flash, for storinginformation utilized by the IR emitter 206 to reproduce particularsignals for transmission to the presentation device 104. In someembodiments, the remote control 106A may communicate with theentertainment device 102 using a bi-directional IR communication linkand IR emitter 206 may take the form of an IR transceiver.

The control logic 208 is operable to control the operation of the remotecontrol 106A. The control logic 208 may be a single processing device ora plurality of processing devices that cooperatively operate to controlthe operation of the remote control 106A. The operation of the controllogic 208 may be controlled by instructions executable by the controllogic 208. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, andfirmware.

The control logic 208 is operable to generate control commands for theentertainment device 102 responsive to the input provided to the userinput circuitry 202 by the user 110 (see FIG. 1). Such commands for theentertainment device 102 are transmitted to the entertainment device 102by the wireless transceiver 204. The control commands may be in the formof key codes or other commands that are compatible with theentertainment device 102.

The control logic 208 is also operable to process data received from theentertainment device 102. For example, the control logic 208 may receiveIR key codes for the presentation device 104 from the entertainmentdevice 102. The IR key codes may include instructions for reproducingthe IR key codes and a particular button or other input sequenceassociated with the command. The commands may be stored in the remotecontrol 106A by the control logic 208 for subsequent utilization.

The control logic 208 is operable to command the IR emitter 206 tooutput control commands for the presentation device 104 responsive tothe user input circuitry 202 by the user 110. The control logic 208 isoperable to receive input from the user input circuitry 202, identifythe corresponding IR key code for the presentation device 104 andprovide the IR key code to the IR emitter 206 for output. In at leastone embodiment, the user input circuitry 202 may include a button orother input device allowing the user 110 to transition between providinginput for the entertainment device 102 and the presentation device 104.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment device of FIG. 1.The entertainment device 102A will be described in reference to theentertainment system 100 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The entertainmentdevice 102A includes a first input interface 302, a second inputinterface 304, a first output interface 306, a second output interface308, a wireless transceiver 310, an IR receiver 312 and control logic314. Each of these components is discussed in greater detail below. Theentertainment device 102A may include other components, elements ordevices not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

The first input interface 302 is operable to receive a first inputstream from a content source (not shown in FIG. 3). The first inputinterface 302 may receive any type of audio, video or audio/video (A/V)presentation stream in any kind of format. In at least one embodiment,the first input interface 302 may comprise a television tuner, such as asatellite television tuner, a cable television tuner, a terrestrialtelevision tuner or an internet television receiver that receivescontent from a content provider.

The second input interface 304 is operable to receive a second inputstream from a content source (not shown in FIG. 3). The second inputinterface 304 may be similar to the first input interface 302, andreceive similar type of content from a similar or identical contentsource. For example, the first input interface 302 may comprise a firstsatellite television tuner of the entertainment device 102A and thesecond input interface 304 may comprise a second satellite televisiontuner of the entertainment device 102A. The first and second inputinterfaces 302 and 304 may also receive different types of content fromdifferent content sources. For example, the first input interface 302may comprise a satellite television tuner and the second input interface304 may comprise an over-the-air terrestrial television tuner.

The first output interface 306 is operable to output content forpresentation by a first presentation device (e.g., presentation device104). More particularly, the first output interface 306 is operable tooutput a first output stream based on the first input stream. Similarly,the second output interface 308 is operable to output content forpresentation by a second presentation device based on the second inputstream. The first and second output interfaces 306 and 308 may outputcontent modulated into any format and protocol and may becommunicatively coupled with the presentation devices over any type ofwireless or wired communication medium.

The wireless transceiver 310 is operable to communicate with the remotecontrol 106A (see FIG. 2) to exchange data, such as command codes,firmware updates, IR database codes, status queries/responses and thelike. In at least one embodiment, the wireless transceiver 310communicates with the wireless transceiver 204 of the remote control102A (see FIG. 2) using a RF communication link, such as WiFi,Bluetooth, ZigBee and the like. The wireless transceiver 310 maycomprise any type of RF transceiver. In at least one embodiment, the RFtransceiver may be operable to communicate with multiple types ofdevices using disparate communication protocols. For example, the RFtransceiver may be operable to communicate using both the WiFi andBluetooth protocols.

In at least one embodiment, the wireless transceiver 310 may be operableto communicate with multiple remote controls 106A, such as a remotecontrol that controls the output of content by the first outputinterface 306 and another remote control that controls the output ofcontent by the second output interface 308. The wireless transceiver 310may utilize different channels, different identifiers, packet switchingand the like to differentiate communications between multiple remotecontrols.

The IR receiver 312 is operable to receive IR signals from the secondremote control 108 (see FIG. 2). The IR receiver 312 receives an IRsignal, communicated from the second remote control 108 and transmitsthe signal to the control logic 314 for further processing.

The control logic 314 is operable to control the operation of theentertainment device 102A. The control logic 314 may be a singleprocessing device or a plurality of processing devices thatcooperatively operate to control the operation of the remote control106A. The operation of the entertainment device 102 may be controlled byinstructions executable by the control logic 314. Some examples ofinstructions are software, program code, and firmware. Some examples ofinstructions are software, program code, and firmware. Additionally, theoperation of particular functionalities of the control logic 314 iscontrollable based on commands received from a remote control 106A (seeFIG. 2).

In at least one embodiment, the control logic 314 is operable forreceiving presentation content, e.g., video content from either thefirst input interface 302 or the second input interface 304. The controllogic 314 is further operable to control the output of the contentreceived by the first input interface 302 to the first output interface306 as well as the output of the content received by the second inputinterface 306 to the second output interface 308.

The control logic 314 may also receive or retrieve content from astorage medium, such as an optical disk, internal or external harddrive, a portable storage device (e.g., universal serial bus (USB)memory sticks) and the like. The control logic 314 may also receivecontent from external servers, such as video servers, that arecommunicatively coupled to the entertainment device 102A over theinternet or other type of data network.

The control logic 314 may operate to perform various signal and dataprocessing functions such as demodulation, decoding, decryption and thelike on data signals received via any type of network interface, togenerate an appropriate format video stream for output to thepresentation device 104 (see FIG. 1). The control logic 314 may comprisemultiple components, such as a demodulator, an audio decoder, a videodecoder, a data decoder or a graphics processor to generate the videostream.

Commands received from the remote control 106A are operable to controlthe output of audio and video content by the control logic 314. Forexample, the wireless transceiver 310 may receive a key code causingcontrol logic 314 to manipulate the output of the video contentresponsive to the key code. The control logic 314 operates to output avideo stream for presentation by the presentation device 104 via thefirst or second output interfaces 306 or 308. The video stream generatedby the control logic 314 may include menus, electronic programmingguides and the like that are navigable using commands received from theremote control 106A.

The control logic 314 is also operable to perform a configurationprocess, allowing any remote control 106A to learn commands for a remotecontrol 108 (see FIG. 1) of another device, such as the presentationdevice 104. For example, the user 110 may initiate a configurationprocess via input to the first remote control 106A or via other inputdevices associated with the entertainment device 102A, such as frontpanel controls of the entertainment device 102A.

The IR receiver 312 receives a signal from the second remote control108. In at least one embodiment, the signal is an IR key code associatedwith a command for the presentation device 104 (see FIG. 1). The controllogic 314 receives and processes the signal and input assigning thesignal to a particular button or other input device of the remotecontrol 106A.

The control logic 314 may be operable to output a menu, via the firstoutput interface 306 and/or the second output interface 308, thatsolicits the assignment input from the user 110. In at least oneembodiment, the user 110 provides the assignment input via the remotecontrol 106A. For example, the user 110 may press a particular button onthe remote control 106A to assign a command to the button. In someembodiments, the user 110 may provide input via a front panel keypad,button or other input device associated with the entertainment device102A.

The control logic 314 processes the signal received from the secondremote control 108 and the assignment information and generates amessage for transmission to the first remote control 106A. The wirelesstransceiver 310 then transmits the message to the first remote control106A. The first remote control 106A receives the message andsubsequently utilizes the message to reproduce the signal responsive toactuation of a selected button to generate the command for thepresentation device 104.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an entertainment device ofFIG. 1. The entertainment device 102B will be described in reference tothe entertainment system 100 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. Theentertainment device 102B includes a first input interface 302, a secondinput interface 304, a first output interface 306, a second outputinterface 308, a communication interface 410, control logic 314A andnetwork interface 416. Each of these components is discussed in greaterdetail below. The entertainment device 102A may include othercomponents, elements or devices not illustrated for the sake of brevity.The discussion of components common to FIG. 3 is omitted herein for thesake of brevity.

In at least one embodiment, the communication interface 410 is operableto communicate with first remote control 106 and the second remotecontrol 108. In at least one embodiment, the communication interface 410may comprise an RF wireless transceiver operable to communicate withboth remote controls 106 and 108. In another embodiment, thecommunication interface 410 may comprise an IR transceiver operable tocommunicate with both the first and second remote controls 106 and 108.The communication interface 410 may also include any combination of IRand RF receivers, receivers and/or transmitters as appropriate tocommunicate with the first and second remote controls 106 and 108. Theremote controls 106 and 108 may utilize the same communication protocolor disparate communication protocols, mediums and the like.

The communication interface 410 receives a signal from the second remotecontrol 108. The signal is associated with a command for thepresentation device 104. In at least one embodiment, the communicationinterface 410 further receives input from the user 110 assigning thecommand to the first remote control 106. The communication interfacetransmits the signal and the input to the control logic 314A for furtherprocessing. In at least one embodiment, the control logic 314A mayreceive the input directly from an associated input device, such as akeypad of the entertainment device 102B.

If the signal comprises an RF command, then the control logic 314A maybe operable to identify the protocol associated with the signal. Thecontrol logic 314A then determines whether the first remote control 106is configured to communicate commands encoded in the protocol. If thefirst remote control 106 is configured to communicate in the protocol,then the control logic 314A is operable to transmit a message to thefirst remote control 106, the message including information utilized bythe first remote control 106 to reproduce the command when communicatingwith the presentation device 104. In at least one embodiment, thecontrol logic 314A may determine that the first remote control 106 isnot operable to communicate in the protocol of the command and mayoutput a message for presentation to the user 110 regarding the same.

The control logic 314A may be operable to receive input from the user110 identifying the presentation device 104. For example, the user 110may provide input identifying the presentation device 104 as an XYZmodel television. This identification may be stored by the entertainmentdevice 104B to allow the user 110 to identify the commands for thepresentation device 104 at a later date, e.g., to assign the commandsfor the presentation device 104 to a different remote control. In someembodiments, the control logic 314A may transmit the identificationinformation, the signal and the selected button corresponding with thecommand to an external server. For example, a television provider mayaggregate commands learned by television receivers of various users andutilize the information to populate an IR code database available to itssubscribers. Thus, after the user 110 performs a learning process ontheir entertainment device 102B to learn commands for a television, DVDplayer, VCR or the like, another user may be able to load the commandsonto their remote control without performing the same learning process.

The network interface 416 is operable to communicate with the externalserver (not shown) over a communication network. The network interface416 may be operable to communicate with the external server over anytype of wired or wireless communication network using any type ofcommunication protocol, network topology and the like. In at least oneembodiment, the network interface 416 communicates over an Ethernetnetwork. The control logic 314A is operable to initiate communication ofthe aforementioned data to the external server 314A. In at least oneembodiment, the control logic 314A may also download information, fromthe external server, via the network interface 416. For example, theexternal server may provide the control logic 314A with updated IRdatabase codes, firmware updates and the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a process for learning commands froma remote control. The process of FIG. 5 may be operable by any type ofcontrolled device, including television receivers. The process of FIG. 5may not be all inclusive and may include other operations notillustrated for the sake of brevity.

The process includes receiving a signal from a first remote control at afirst controlled device (operation 502). The signal is associated with acommand for a second controlled device. For example, the firstcontrolled device may comprise a satellite television receiver and thesecond controlled device may comprise a VCR. In at least one embodiment,the first remote control outputs an IR signal to remotely control thesecond controlled device (such as a “play” command) and the firstcontrolled device includes an IR receiver to receive the IR signal fromthe first remote control.

The process further includes receiving user input, at the firstcontrolled device, the user input assigning the command to a selectedbutton of a second remote control (operation 504). Operation 504 mayalternatively include assigning the user input to multiple combinationsof buttons of the second remote control or other types of input devicesof the second remote control. The user input may be provided by thefirst remote control, the second remote control, another remote controlor via another input device associated with the first controlled device.The operations of 502 and 504 can occur in any order; e.g. 504 can occureither before or after 502.

The process further includes transmitting a message from the firstcontrolled device to the second remote control (operation 506). Themessage includes information utilized by the second remote control toreproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the selected button togenerate the command for the second controlled device. In at least oneembodiment, the first controlled device and the second remote controlare operable to exchange data over an RF communication link. Thus, thesecond remote control may include an RF transceiver for exchanging datawith the entertainment device and may also include an IR emitter fortransmitting commands to the second controlled device.

The process may optionally include transmitting the message to otherremote controls associated with the first controlled device. Forexample, the first controlled device may be a multiple room DVR, witheach room having an associated remote control. The DVR may receive inputfrom a third remote control, requesting transmission of the commandsutilized to control the second controlled device. Thus, the DVR mayinitiate transmission of a second message to the third remote control,the message including information utilized by the third remote controlto reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the button, allowingthe third remote control to generate commands for the second controlleddevice.

In at least one embodiment, a user may be able to assign the command toa different button or command of the third remote control. For example,the DVR may include a menu displaying the original assignment of thecommands for the second controlled device to the first remote controland may allow the user to swap the assignment of the commands on thethird remote control. Thus, the first and third remote controls may beoperable to output the same signal to control the second controlleddevice responsive to actuation of different buttons on each remotecontrol.

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of theinvention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of theinvention is defined by the following claims and any equivalentstherein.

I claim:
 1. A method for learning commands from a remote control, themethod comprising: receiving a signal from a first remote control at afirst controlled device, the signal being associated with a command fora second controlled device; receiving user input, at the firstcontrolled device, the user input assigning the command to a selectedbutton of a second remote control; transmitting a message from the firstcontrolled device to the second remote control, the message includinginformation utilized by the second remote control to reproduce thesignal responsive to actuation of the selected button to generate thecommand for the second controlled device; receiving user inputidentifying the second controlled device; and transmitting a secondmessage from the first controlled device to an external server, thesecond message identifying the second controlled device, the signal andthe selected button of the second remote control.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein receiving the signal further comprises: receiving the signalfrom the first remote control through an infrared receiver of the firstcontrolled device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving thesignal and transmitting the message further comprises: receiving thesignal from the first remote control through a radio frequencytransceiver of the first controlled device; and transmitting the messageto the second remote control through the radio frequency receiver. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the signal from the firstremote control through a radio frequency transceiver of the firstcontrolled device and transmitting the message to the second remotecontrol through the radio frequency receiver further comprises:identifying a protocol associated with the signal; determining whetherthe second remote control is configured to transmit commands encoded inthe protocol; and transmitting the message to the second remote controlresponsive to determining that the second remote control is configuredto transmit commands encoded in the protocol.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving second user input from a third remotecontrol associated with the first controlled device; and transmitting asecond message from the first controlled device to the third remotecontrol, the second message including information utilized by the thirdremote control to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of theselected button to generate the command for the second controlleddevice.
 6. An apparatus comprising: a communication interface thatreceives a signal from a first remote control, the signal beingassociated with a command for another controlled device; and controllogic communicatively coupled to the communication interface operable toreceive user inputs assigning the command to a selected button of asecond remote control and identifying the controlled device; thecommunication interface further operable to transmit a message to thesecond remote control, the message including information utilized by thesecond remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation ofthe selected button to generate the command for the controlled device;and a network interface operable to transmit a second message to anexternal server, the second message identifying the controlled device,the signal and the selected button of the second remote control.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the communication interface comprises aninfrared receiver that receives the signal from the first remotecontrol.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the communicationinterface comprises a radio frequency transceiver to transmit themessage to the second remote control.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the communication interface comprises a radio frequency receiverto receive the signal from the first remote control.
 10. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the control logic is operable to: identify aprotocol associated with the signal; determine whether the second remotecontrol is configured to transmit commands encoded in the protocol; andinitiate transmission of the message to the second remote controlthrough the radio frequency receiver responsive to determining that thesecond remote control is configured to transmit commands encoded in theprotocol.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control logic isoperable to: receive second user input from a third remote control; andinitiate transmission of a second message to the third remote controlthrough the communication interface, the message including informationutilized by the third remote control to reproduce the signal responsiveto actuation of the selected button to generate the command for thecontrolled device.
 12. An entertainment device comprising: an infraredreceiver that receives a signal from a first remote control associatedwith another controlled device, the signal being associated with a firstcommand for the controlled device; a wireless transceiver operable toreceive second commands from a second remote control and third commandsfrom a third remote control; a first input interface that receives afirst input stream; a second input interface that receives a secondinput stream; a first output interface communicatively coupled to thefirst input interface and the wireless transceiver that outputs thefirst input stream to a first presentation device based on the secondcommands; a second output interface communicatively coupled to thesecond input interface and the wireless receiver that outputs the secondinput stream to a second presentation device based on the thirdcommands; control logic communicatively couple to the infrared receiver,the wireless receiver, the first and second input interfaces and thefirst and second output interfaces, the control logic operable to:receive user input assigning the command to a selected button of thesecond remote control; and transmit a message to the second remotecontrol via the wireless transceiver, the message including informationutilized by the second remote control to reproduce the signal responsiveto actuation of the selected button to generate the command for thecontrolled device.
 13. The entertainment device of claim 12, wherein thecontrolled device comprises the first presentation device.
 14. Theentertainment device of claim 12, wherein the control logic receives theuser input from the second remote control via the wireless transceiver.15. The entertainment device of claim 12, wherein the control logicoutputs a selection menu, for presentation by the second presentationdevice, the selection menu prompting a user to identify the controlleddevice and wherein the entertainment device stores the identification ofthe controlled device in association with the signal and theidentification of the selected button.
 16. The entertainment device ofclaim 15, further comprising: a network interface operable to transmitthe identification of the controlled device, the signal and theidentification of the selected button to an external server.
 17. Theentertainment device of claim 15, wherein control logic is operable to:receive second user input from the third remote control; and initiatetransmission of a second message to the third remote control via thewireless transceiver, the second message including information utilizedby the third remote control to reproduce the signal responsive toactuation of the selected button to generate the command for thecontrolled device.
 18. The entertainment device of claim 15, wherein thecontrol logic is operable to transmit a second message to the thirdremote control via the wireless transceiver, the second messageincluding information utilized by the third remote control to reproducethe signal responsive to actuation of the selected button to generatethe command for the controlled device.